Aftermarket or GM ? It seems that a GM windshield isn’t very easy to get. What are the pros an cons of an of a aftermarket. I need the HUD version.

 

I replaced mine with oem gm windshield. My mechanic recommended it because of the cameras. I waited a few weeks to get it. was early spring so I didn’t mind the wait because it was just sitting in the garage anyway.

 

If you do an Advanced Search, you'll find dozens of threads discussing the subject.
Most people who got aftermarket are satisfied, a few are not.
When we had the WS replaced on our C6, I wanted GM glass and told the glass company that I would pay the difference between OEM and aftermarket, if the insurance wouldn't cover that part.
Turned out they were both the same price.
Some people will tell you that a non-HUD windshield works just as well as the HUD version. I think if that were really true, GM wouldn't bother to design/make/stock, two different types.

The ability and care of the installer are just as important as the glass itself. Our C6 replacement turned into a gigantic PITA when the installer slopped adhesive onto the C6 VIN plate, came back later to scrape it off and scratched the windshield, then wanted me to tell the supplier that the windshield was defective when installed.
Our C5 WS was replaced while on a trip, a year later it started leaking a lot in heavy rain. I called the distant shop that had done the replacement and they were not interested. I called our insurance agent and explained the problem to him, he said I should relay to the glass company, that if they ever wanted State Farm to pay them for another windshield job, they needed to cover the remedial work that had just been done here at home. The next day, they paid.

BTW, most Comprehensive insurance is $0 ded, and claims don't count against you unless you have several of them. In our area, the slightly lower price for a deductible on Comprehensive is so slight that if we have a windshield replaced once every 20 years, the $0 ded is cheaper.

Best of luck to you!

 

I went with aftermarket last fall when a rock cracked mine. The insurance company had no issue if I wanted OEM, but it wasn't readily available. No issues at all with the aftermarket and the installation team did a great job.

 

The WS from GM isn't different than any of the other suppliers. With a car that is out of production SPO orders the WS to spec from the lowest bid supplier. You aren't guaranteed to receive a WS that has all the markings that your OEM WS from the assembly plant has.

Bill

 

I wouldn't have a problem with a non-OEM windshield for my car as long as it was OEM spec certified and the installer did things right.

 

Thanks for all the feedback. I think that I will go with the aftermarket WS. Thanks Dave!

 

@gsjunkie see my comments in this post , Everything you need to know about windshield replacement and more ....
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-ideas-2.html

Dave

 

I'm fortunate in that I have a glass company who have been replacing windshields in personal and business vehicles for over 40 years without ever an issue so I would rely on their recommendation.
Otherwise, if just a small chip/crack I'd wait for a GM windshield, if broken or safety concern I'd opt for aftermarket if quicker.

What Bill Dearborn states above may be correct in some cases, however not all. It's easy enough to check for your specific case.
Good Luck whatever route you decide to take.

 

I"ll add my 2 cents here...having cars that I keep for much longer than most, I can attest that Safelite glass scratches more easily than factory glass. The cars that have had a Safelite replacements all developed marks from the wipers and all have more pitting than the factory glass had with similar miles. Safelite is cheaper for a reason. If you dump your cars every three years I guess it does not matter but for "keepers" I'd go for GM glass.

 

This is how internet urban legend start lol
Read thru my thread in the link I posted above ....
There is no such thing as one brand is harder than another
Safelite does not manufacture glass and the brands that Safelite carries are all OEM suppliers such as Mopar , Carlex, ZY , Pilkington and PGW ...

They also are one of the largest aftermarket buyers of OEM and stock it the shelf ..

And before you start a debate , look at my profile to see what I do for a living lol lol. 30 years in the industry
Dave

 

I can only go by my experience. Safelite glass does not wear as well, period. Like I said if you sell your cars with 60K of use it probably does not matter. I put way more miles on my cars and every Safelite windshield developed light scratches from the wipers , something that did not happen with factory glass. Factory glass did not develop as many pits from high speed highway driving either. I am talking use well over 100K miles. Not trying to create falsehoods - this is my experience over 800K miles of driving.

 

And I am telling you that the same would have happened with other brands lol

Pitting has nothing to to with the "Hardness" of the glass and everything to do with the aerodynamics of the car as the boundary layer of air that flows over the car has a low preasure area at the base of the windshield which causes any debris to fall out and nick the glass . Some models are more prone to this than others , Ford Trucks are our #1 replaced part with Jeep follow closely behind

Wiper marks are caused by the environment that car lives in and the age of the wipers as any glass will scratch when you drag a old wiper across it

Funny you say Safelite Glass , Safelite has not made glass in a long time

Safelite only buys and installs glass that was purchased from 1St Tier OEM suppliers , just like the Local guy that installs glass .... its no different . And it's the same glass that the OEM installs but in some cases they will stamp it with thier trademark, it's all made on the in the same plants going down the same lines as the OEM part. And as Bill mentions above after the car is out of production the OEM bids the part. It might not be the orginal manufacturer

Now there are JUNK suppliers that are not OEM suppliers that I will not name and some local shops do install this stuff but I can tell you with a 100% certainty that you wont find this junk in a safelite warehouse
Dave

 

I just replaced my windshield with an OEM GM windshield at a cost of $1086 installed. I heard about a windshield protection film called EXOSHIELD that was recommended by a friend so I immediately took it down and had it installed. Cost $440. I figured with a $500 deductible the film is cheap insurance. Tired of replacing windshields out here in Colorado where the roads are full of sand gravel and rocks!

 

I got mine replaced by insurance at Safelite. The tech said the were better fitting and they had less problems with the OEM. Cost was the same to me. I always want OEM.